Small Plane Crashes In Linden

LINDEN – A Virginia couple were seriously injured Sunday when their small plane crashed and burst into flames in an industrial area of Linden.

The crash victims – Jason Snyder, 33, and his wife Jennifer, 34 – were found conscious, lying next to the single-engine aircraft, authorities said. They were flown to University Hospital in Newark, where they were listed in critical condition Sunday night. Officials remained hopeful that the couple would recover from their injuries.

The crash occurred around 4 p.m., shortly after take off from Linden Airport, officials said. Witnesses saw the plane, a Beechcraft Sundowner Model 23, flying low before slamming into trees in a railroad right-of-way near Linden Avenue. Fire engulfed the plane, but firefighters were able to stop it before it spread. The plane did not hit any people or buildings, authorities said.

The Snyders, who live in Hampton, Va., had been stranded in New Jersey for two days by the winter storm. They decided to fly out of Linden on Sunday afternoon when the weather conditions began to improve.

The pilot reported mechanical problems shortly before the crash occurred, according to a Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman. The official cause of the accident remains under investigation.